Subaru Engine and transmission in Speedster

Sounds like they installed or will install a Subaru Gears reverse ring and pinion. I have a Suby trans that I'm holding onto for probable 4wd to 2wd conversion. I'd like to do a mid-engine 356 coupe someday with Suby 6 and 5 speed! All that will need is the driveshaft blockoff and I think you also need to weld up the center diff.

How about an all wheel drive speedster--imagine the cornering upgrade.

I have one... the Aussie's cut the length of the 5sp and 6 sp specific models of the tranny and weld or replace the nose cone section.  Makes the tranny close to vw length... the 6 speed is longer ...  the R&D was messy but it works good. The ring & pinion is reversed of course..

I would hesitate on the 6 speed due to length and other factors. 

Interesting Ray....I did notice that the nose cone looked like it had been welded on. Also it was no more than 1/4" away from the torsion bar housing.  Really close work there ! Anyone know if the automatic is longer than the manual ?   My Wife would not be adverse to an automatic..............Bruce

As far as I know Bruce the automatic is not yet being done.  

Things do get pretty close, and you have to check the axle lengths, angles, etc etc.  

Our IM is an automatic with the VW style engine.  Not how we would have ordered it  if we were buying new but how the car was ordered by the original owner.

You probably have a VW bus automatic tranny in there.

Might be a type 3 transaxle, too.  They were full, 3-speed autos, too, IIRC.  

Not many of them out there, for sure, but they were good transaxles.

I drove a type 3 auto when I was young, it was not bad at all... but I have personally seen IM's at the factory with a bus auto tranny... just saying.  It might be due to supply and demand as you mentioned Gordon.

What ever it is it is not the smoothest shifting transmission by a long shot.

In regards to a Subaru implant,  with a rear engine configuration, an all-wheel drive speedster is theoretically possible with a reverse R&P in both trans-axles.

In a mid-engine configuration, it isn't possible, as you simply use the front trans-axle and delete the entire drive-train to the rear. 

MQS987 posted:

What ever it is it is not the smoothest shifting transmission by a long shot.

It was never my favourite auto trans it works but not an elegant solution

 The Germans weren’t very good with auto trans and 1986 Beamer five series was awful as well 

Bruce, if you get Greg to do IRS on a Spyder, a full Suby drivetrain is EASY. It won't matter how long the tailshaft/nosecone is, you have at least a foot behind the VW trans to the rear of the frame. I'm sure you could do an auto trans, but who would want to in a Spyder?

Jethro, yes, that would work, but what is the factory Subaru torque bias F/R set to? This would effectively reverse the front and rear torque amounts. If it's 50/50, then it's all good.

I have experience with the Vanagon automatic. It's works OK. That's all you can say about a 3 speed auto IMHO.

I am aware of a AWD, Ghia that is in the works on the web... it lifts the car a bit for clearance, but I am not sure how the setup will work for bias of the 4wd. 

It just seems that using a newer version of transaxle that's compatible with the engine would be the way to go.  Not having to use adaptors, flywheel mods, starters, engine mounts, reversing the R&P (or not) etc. would just make life simpler all around.

Plus the upgrade from some old (but reliable) technology/availability to some new. It seems like a mid-engined, IRS suspension car would allow an endless amount of speeds and ratios as well. Five or Six speeds ? Wow ! And yes, an automatic for those that want the drive and not the race part.

Got this nice shiny 200+ HP Suby engine sitting around just burnin to get bolted up to some kind of crotch rocket with two seats........................Bruce

@DannyP you are right. Subaru has a variable torque distribution that varies from 60/40 to 50/50